His Unusual Governess Read Online Free PDF

long time since he’d found more than a fleeting pleasure in the arms of a woman—since Madeline had broken his heart before he went off to fight for his king and country.
    A picture of Madeline’s beautiful face and long blonde curls passed through his mind and was ruthlessly dismissed. When she’d married the old Duke of Marley for money, he’d put her out of his heart and mind. At first he’d been angry, bitter, broken by her scorn and her betrayal,but then he’d found something more worthwhile—and that was the camaraderie of his friends. It was only when he’d lost them that his heart had become encased in ice.
    His one-time friends believed that he had done something careless that had led to the deaths of several of their comrades. Rupert knew that he was innocent of their charges, but he refused to explain or to tell them the truth about what had happened that night. If they could see only what was in front of their noses, then they were not worth bothering over—they were certainly not his friends and not the men he’d thought them to be. Where was the trust that should have existed between them? Where was the respect he believed he was entitled to expect? Since they had chosen to believe evil of him he would not defend himself. Let them think what they chose. He’d shut out the memory of their friendship, becoming in truth the man society believed him: a hardened rake and a ruthless card player.
    ‘You wished to see me, Lord Myers?’
    The voice was soft, but there was just the trace of an accent. Rupert turned to look at the young woman who had entered the parlour as he stood gazing out at the park. Although no beauty, she was of medium height, slim, attractive with dark hair that he knew carried tintsof red in the sunlight. Her eyes were a bluish-green and her mouth pleasantly full. She carried herself well and there was a hint of pride in her face—also something else?
    Did she seem wary? A little uneasy, perhaps?
    ‘You are Miss Hester Goodrum?’
    He thought there was a slight hesitation before she inclined her head. ‘I am the new governess, sir.’
    ‘Miss Goodrum?’
    ‘Yes.’ This time her voice was firm and without hesitation. ‘I believe you are to be the children’s mentor?’
    ‘My uncle has requested me to be John’s mentor until he goes to his college. I am also here to see that Francesca is ready to enter society next Season. She will be seventeen then and I believe arrangements will be made for her to stay with a suitable lady next spring. Until then you are here to keep her from getting into mischief.’
    ‘I dare say I can find ways to do that, sir. Once I have established the level she has reached in her studies, we can plan a new schedule.’
    ‘I hardly think you can expect to keep a young woman like Francesca in the schoolroom all day, Miss Goodrum.’
    ‘I would not be foolish enough to try,’ shereplied, her head up, eyes meeting his. All sign of the hesitation had gone now. ‘Perhaps some poetry, music and dancing lessons would not go amiss. I imagine she already has some knowledge of French, Latin and drawing. We can find some way of making the lessons more interesting, I dare say. John may need more tuition, but I think that will be your province, Lord Myers. I am prepared to give him certain lessons if you wish, of course. I could take history and literature and mathematics. However, geography and the sciences were never my strong point, though I am willing to attempt them should you wish?’
    ‘I am amazed you are able to offer such a wide curriculum. I am sure my uncle did not tell me you were so accomplished.’
    Did he detect a hint of colour in her cheeks—a lessening of her confidence? Why? He’d just paid her a compliment, yet he seemed to have made her uneasy. For a fleeting moment she looked uncertain, but then her head came up and she bestowed a cool smile on him.
    ‘I dare say you are able to take the boy’s education to a higher degree than I